Lamp for vehicle and vehicle comprising the same

ABSTRACT

A lamp for a vehicle includes a laser diode configured to output light, an interface configured to communicate with a brake device of the vehicle, and at least one processor coupled to the interface and configured to receive brake operation information from the brake device via the interface, and control a light output of the laser diode based on the brake operation information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2017-0103750, filed on Aug. 16, 2017, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a lamp for a vehicle having a laserlight source.

BACKGROUND

A vehicle is a device that can carry a passenger in a passenger-intendeddirection. A car is an example of the vehicle.

To increase the convenience of vehicle users, a vehicle may be equippedwith various sensors, electronic devices and the like. For example, anAdvanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and an autonomous vehicle areunder active study to increase the driving convenience of users.

Recently, the use of a laser light source in a vehicle has becomeimportant. For example, a laser light source may have a size smallerthan that of a conventional light source such as a light emitting diode(LED), and may have a high utilization efficiency and an increaseddensity of light output from a lamp with the laser light source.

A laser diode (LD) used for a vehicle headlamp may emit light of severalwatts, but human or animal eyes may be seriously damaged even if theyare exposed to a laser of only 2 mW or so. Therefore, in order toprotect eyes of people and other living objects, a lamp for a vehiclemay not directly radiate a laser beam, but converts the laser and usesthe converted laser beam. For example, a headlamp using a laser lightsource may convert blue light into white light using an intermediatemedium including phosphors when in use.

However, when the laser lamp is damaged due to, for example, an impactfrom an accident, the laser beam may be directly exposed to an outsideof the lamp.

SUMMARY

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a safe control of alaser lamp before an accident occurs, in order to prevent a laser beam,which may very harmful to a visual system of a living object, from beingdischarged to an outside of the lamp.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a safe control ofa laser lamp before an accident occurs and to secure the driver's vieweffectively.

Another object of the present disclosure is to enable a laser lamp to beused safely and effectively through control after the laser lamp iscontrolled so as to be turned off.

Another object of the present disclosure is to minimize theinconvenience of a user (e.g., a driver) while safely controlling alaser lamp.

The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the objects asmentioned above, and other unmentioned objects will be clearlyunderstood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to one aspect of the subject matter described in thisapplication, a lamp for a vehicle includes a laser diode configured tooutput light, an interface configured to communicate with a brake deviceof the vehicle, and at least one processor coupled to the interface andconfigured to receive brake operation information from the brake devicevia the interface, and to control a light output of the laser diodebased on the brake operation information.

Implementations according to this aspect may include one or more offollowing features. For example, the at least one processor may befurther configured to, based on the brake operation information,determine whether the brake device has performed a full brakingoperation, and, based on a determination that the brake device hasperformed the full braking operation, control the laser diode to reducean output of the light output. The at least one processor may be furtherconfigured to: based on the brake operation information, determinewhether a braking operation is performed with a braking level that isgreater than or equal to a threshold level; and based on a determinationthat the braking operation is performed with the braking level that isgreater than or equal to the threshold level, control the laser diode todim the light output.

In some implementations, the at least one processor may be furtherconfigured to receive object information from an object detection devicevia the interface, and control the light output of the laser diode basedon the object information. The object information includes an estimatedtime to collision (TTC) between the vehicle and an object, and the atleast one processor may be further configured to control the lightoutput of the laser diode based on the TTC. The at least one processormay be further configured to control the laser diode to reduce the lightoutput within the TTC.

In some implementations, the at least one processor may be furtherconfigured to control the laser diode to turn off the light output afterreducing the light output within the TTC. The object information mayinclude information about whether an object is a living object, and theat least one processor may be further configured to control the lightoutput of the laser diode based on whether the object is the livingobject.

In some implementations, the vehicle may further include an autonomousemergency braking system (AEBS), and the at least one processor may befurther configured to reduce the light output of the laser diode basedon the brake operation information received from the AEBS. The vehiclemay further include a sensing unit coupled to the interface andconfigured to sense vehicle shock information. The at least oneprocessor may be further configured to receive the vehicle shockinformation from the sensing unit via the interface, and control thelight output of the laser diode based on the vehicle shock information.

In some implementations, the vehicle shock information may includevehicle shock position information corresponding to a position at whicha vehicle has received a shock, and the at least one processor may befurther configured to control the light output of the laser diode basedon the vehicle shock position information. In some examples, the atleast one processor may be further configured, based on the laser diodebeing in a turned off state, determine whether the vehicle has receiveda shock based on the vehicle shock information, and to control the laserdiode to be turned on based on a determination that the vehicle receivedno shock.

In some examples, the vehicle may further include a sensing unit coupledto the interface, and the at least one processor may be furtherconfigured to receive lamp information from the sensing unit via theinterface, and to control the light output of the laser diode based onthe lamp information. In some examples, the sensing unit may include acamera configured to capture light emitted from the lamp. In this case,the lamp information may include information about a state of lightoutput that is emitted from the lamp and captured by the camera of thesensing unit, and the at least one processor may be further configuredto control the light output of the laser diode based on the informationabout the state of light output.

In some implementations, the at least one processor may be furtherconfigured to determine whether a detected pattern of light emitted fromthe lamp corresponds to an expected pattern of light based on a controlsignal produced by the at least one processor, and to control the laserdiode to reduce the light output based on a determination that thedetected pattern of light emitted from the lamp deviates from theexpected pattern of light.

In some examples, the at least one processor may be further configuredto determine whether a detected variation in an output of light emittedfrom the lamp corresponds to an expected variation in the output oflight based on a control signal produced by the at least one processor,and to control the laser diode to reduce the light output based on adetermination that the detected variation in the output of light emittedfrom the lamp deviates from the expected variation in the output oflight.

In some implementations, the laser diode may include a plurality oflaser diodes in which each laser diode is configured to output light.The at least one processor may be further configured to, based on thebrake operation information, control a first laser diode among theplurality of laser diodes differently from a second laser diode amongthe plurality of laser diodes.

In some implementations, the at least one processor may be furtherconfigured to control the interface to transmit a signal to an outputunit of the vehicle, the output unit being configured to, in response toreception of the signal from the at least one processor, generate analarm based on the laser diode being controlled to reduce the lightoutput.

According to another aspect of the subject matter, a lamp for a vehicle,which includes an object detection device configured to detect an objectaround the vehicle, includes a laser diode configured to output light,an interface configured to communicate with the object detection device,and at least one processor coupled to the interface and configured toreceive, from the object detection device via the interface, anestimated time to collision between the vehicle and the object, and tocontrol a light output of the laser diode based on the estimated time tocollision.

According to another aspect, a vehicle includes a plurality of wheels, apower source configured to drive a rotation of at least one of theplurality of wheels, and a lamp. The lamp includes a laser diodeconfigured to output light, an interface configured to communicate witha brake device of the vehicle, and at least one processor coupled to theinterface and configured to receive brake operation information from thebrake device via the interface, and to control a light output of thelaser diode based on the brake operation information.

Concrete details of other implementations are included in the detaileddescription and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example exterior of an example vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating example exteriors of an example vehicleseen at various angles from outside of the vehicle.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views illustrating example interiors of an examplevehicle.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views illustrating example objects.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of example components of an example vehicle.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of example component of an example lamp for avehicle.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of the lamp fora vehicle.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are views illustrating example operations of thelamp for a vehicle when braking is sensed.

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are views illustrating example operations of thelamp for a vehicle based on an expected time to collision (TTC).

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views illustrating example operations of the lampfor a vehicle depending on the types of objects.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views illustrating example operations of the lampfor a vehicle based on an automatic emergency braking.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D are views illustrating example operations ofthe lamp for a vehicle when no collision is sensed after a turn-offcontrol.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D are views illustrating example operations ofthe lamp for a vehicle when a collision is sensed after a turn-offcontrol.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are views illustrating an example operation of thelamp for a vehicle based on optical patterns.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating example control of multiple laser diodesin the lamp for a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example implementations disclosed in the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Likereference numerals denote the same or similar components throughout thedrawings and a redundant description of the same components will beavoided.

The term “vehicle” as used in the present disclosure may refer to a car,a motorbike, or other types of vehicles. The following description isgiven with the appreciation that a vehicle is a car, by way of example.

In the present disclosure, a vehicle may be any of an internalcombustion vehicle equipped with an engine as a power source, a hybridvehicle equipped with an engine and an electrical motor as powersources, an electric vehicle equipped with an electrical motor as apower source, and the like.

In the following description, the left of a vehicle is the left of adriving direction of the vehicle, and the right of the vehicle is theright of the driving direction of the vehicle.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example exterior of an example vehicle.

FIG. 2 illustrates example exteriors of a vehicle, seen at variousangles from an outside of the vehicle.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate example interiors of a vehicle.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate example objects.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of example components of a vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a vehicle 100 may include wheels rotated by apower source, and a steering input device 510 for controlling a headingdirection of the vehicle 100.

The vehicle 100 may include an autonomous vehicle.

The vehicle 100 may switch to an autonomous driving mode or a manualmode based on a user input.

For example, the vehicle 100 may switch from the manual mode to theautonomous driving mode or from the autonomous driving mode to themanual mode, based on a user input received through a User Interface(UI) device 200.

The vehicle 100 may switch to the autonomous driving mode or the manualmode based on driving situation information.

The driving situation information may include at least one ofinformation on objects outside the vehicle 100, navigation information,or vehicle state information.

For example, the vehicle 100 may switch from the manual mode to theautonomous driving mode or from the autonomous driving mode to themanual mode, based on driving situation information generated from anobject detection device 300.

For example, the vehicle 100 may switch from the manual mode to theautonomous driving mode or from the autonomous driving mode to themanual mode, based on driving situation information received through acommunication device 400.

The vehicle 100 may switch from the manual mode to the autonomousdriving mode or from the autonomous driving mode to the manual mode,based on information, data, or signals provided from external devices.

When the vehicle 100 drives in the autonomous driving mode, theautonomous vehicle 100 may drive based on an operation system 700.

For example, the autonomous vehicle 100 may drive based on information,data, or signals generated from a driving system 710, a park-out system740, and a park-in system 750.

When the vehicle 100 drives in the manual mode, the autonomous vehicle100 may receive a user input for driving through a maneuvering device500. The vehicle 100 may drive based on the user input received throughthe maneuvering device 500.

An overall length refers to a length from the front side to the rearside of the vehicle 100, an overall width refers to a width of thevehicle 100, and an overall height refers to a length from the bottom ofa wheel to the roof of the vehicle 100. In the following description, anoverall length direction L may refer to a direction based on which theoverall length of the vehicle 100 is measured, an overall widthdirection W may refer to a direction based on which the overall width ofthe vehicle 100 is measured, and an overall height direction H may referto a direction based on which the overall height of the vehicle 100 ismeasured.

Referring to FIG. 7, the vehicle 100 may include the user interfacedevice 200, the object detection device 300, the communication device400, the maneuvering device 500, a vehicle driving device 600, theoperation system 700, a navigation system 770, a sensing unit 120, aninterface 130, a memory 140, a controller 170, a power supply unit 190,and a lamp 800 for a vehicle. In some implementations, the controller170 may include at least one processor.

In some implementations, the vehicle 100 may further include a newcomponent in addition to the components described in the presentdisclosure, or may not include some of the described components.

The user interface device 200 is a device used to enable the vehicle 100to communicate with a user. The user interface device 200 may receive auser input, and provide information generated from the vehicle 100 tothe user. The vehicle 100 may implement UIs or User Experience (UX)through the user interface device 200.

The user interface device 200 may include an input unit 210, an internalcamera 220, a biometric sensing unit 230, an output unit 250, and aprocessor 270.

In some implementations, the user interface device 200 may furtherinclude a new component in addition to components described below, ormay not include some of the described components.

The input unit 210 is configure to receive information from a user. Datacollected by the input unit 210 may be analyzed and processed as acontrol command from the user by the processor 270.

The input unit 210 may be disposed inside the vehicle 100. For example,the input unit 210 may be disposed in an area of a steering wheel, anarea of an instrument panel, an area of a seat, an area of each pillar,an area of a door, an area of a center console, an area of a headlining, an area of a sun visor, an area of a windshield, an area of awindow, or the like.

The input unit 210 may include a voice input unit 211, a gesture inputunit 212, a touch input unit 213, and a mechanical input unit 214.

The voice input unit 211 may convert a voice input of the user to anelectrical signal. The electrical signal may be provided to theprocessor 270 or the controller 170.

The voice input unit 211 may include one or more microphones.

The gesture input unit 212 may convert a gesture input of the user to anelectrical signal. The electrical signal may be provided to theprocessor 270 or the controller 170.

The gesture input unit 212 may include at least one of an Infrared (IR)sensor or an image sensor, for sensing a gesture input of the user.

In some implementations, the gesture input unit 212 may sense aThree-Dimensional (3D) gesture input of the user. To this end, thegesture input unit 212 may include a light output unit for emittingmultiple IR rays or multiple image sensors.

The gesture input unit 212 may sense a 3D gesture input of the user byTime of Flight (ToF), structured light, or disparity.

The touch input unit 213 may convert a touch input of the user to anelectrical signal. The electrical signal may be provided to theprocessor 270 or the controller 170.

The touch input unit 213 may include a touch sensor for sensing a touchinput of the user.

In some implementations, a touch screen may be configured by integratingthe touch input unit 213 with a display unit 251. This touch screen mayprovide both an input interface and an output interface between thevehicle 100 and the user.

The mechanical input unit 214 may include at least one of a button, adome switch, a jog wheel, or a jog switch. An electrical signalgenerated by the mechanical input unit 214 may be provided to theprocessor 270 or the controller 170.

The mechanical input unit 214 may be disposed on a steering wheel, acenter fascia, the center console, a cockpit module, a door, or thelike.

The internal camera 220 may acquire a vehicle interior image. Theprocessor 270 may sense the state of a user based on the vehicleinterior image. The processor 270 may acquire information on the gaze ofthe user in the vehicle interior image. The processor 270 may sense agesture of the user in the vehicle interior image.

The biometric sensing unit 230 may acquire biometric information on theuser. The biometric sensing unit 230 may include a sensor for acquiringbiometric information on the user, and acquire information on afingerprint, heart beats, and the like of the user, using the sensor.The biometric information may be used for user authentication.

The output unit 250 is configured to generate a visual output, anacoustic output, or a haptic output.

The output unit 250 may include at least one of the display unit 251, anaudio output unit 252, or a haptic output unit 253.

The display unit 251 may display graphic objects corresponding tovarious pieces of information.

The display unit 251 may include at least one of a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD), a Thin-Film Transistor LCD (TFT LCD), an Organic LightEmitting Diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a 3D display, or ane-ink display.

A touch screen may be configured by forming a multi-layered structure ofthe display unit 251 and the touch input unit 213, or by integrating thedisplay unit 251 with the touch input unit 213.

The display unit 251 may be configured as a Head Up Display (HUD). Whenthe display unit 251 is configured as a HUD, the display unit 251 may beprovided with a projection module to output information by an imageprojected onto the windshield or the window.

The display unit 251 may include a transparent display. The transparentdisplay may be attached onto the windshield or the window.

The transparent display may display a specific screen with a specifictransparency. To have a transparency, the transparent display mayinclude at least one of a transparent Thin Film Electroluminescent(TFFL) display, a transparent OLED display, a transparent LCD, atransmissive transparent display, or a transparent LED display. Thetransparency of the transparent display is controllable.

Meanwhile, the user interface device 200 may include multiple displayunits 251 a to 251 g.

The display unit 251 may be disposed in an area of the steering wheel,areas 251 a, 251 b and 251 e of the instrument panel, an area 251 d of aseat, an area 251 f of each pillar, an area 251 g of a door, an area ofthe center console, an area of a head lining, or an area of a sun visor,or may be implemented in an area 251 c of the windshield and an area 251h of the window.

The audio output unit 252 converts an electrical signal received fromthe processor 270 or the controller 170 to an audio signal, and outputsthe audio signal. To this end, the audio output unit 252 may include oneor more speakers.

The haptic output unit 253 generates a haptic output. For example, thehaptic output unit 253 may vibrate the steering wheel, a safety belt, aseat 110FL, 110FR, 110RL, or 110RR, so that the user may perceive theoutput.

The processor 270 may provide overall control to each unit of the userinterface device 200.

In some implementations, the user interface device 200 may includemultiple processors 270 or no processor 270.

When the user interface device 200 does not include any processor 270,the user interface device 200 may operate under the control of aprocessor of another device in the vehicle 100, or under the control ofthe controller 170.

Meanwhile, the user interface device 200 may be referred to as a vehicledisplay device.

The user interface device 200 may operate under the control of thecontroller 170.

The object detection device 300 is a device used to detect an objectoutside the vehicle 100. The object detection device 300 may generateobject information based on sensing data.

The object information may include information indicating the presenceor absence of an object, information on the location of an object,information indicating the distance between the vehicle 100 and anobject, and information on the speed of the vehicle 100 relative to anobject.

An object may be any of various items related to driving of the vehicle100.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, objects O may include lanes OB10, anothervehicle OB11, a pedestrian OB12, a 2-wheel vehicle OB13, traffic signalsOB14 and OB15, light, a road, a structure, a speed bump, topography, ananimal, and the like.

The lanes OB10 may include a driving lane, a lane next to the drivinglane, and a lane in which an opposite vehicle is driving. The lanes OB10may conceptually include left and right lines that define each of thelanes. The lane may conceptually include the crossroad.

The other vehicle OB11 may be a vehicle driving in the vicinity of thevehicle 100. The other vehicle OB11 may be located within apredetermined distance from the vehicle 100. For example, the othervehicle OB11 may precede or follow the vehicle 100.

The pedestrian OB12 may be a person located around the vehicle 100. Thepedestrian OB12 may be a person located within a predetermined distancefrom the vehicle 100. For example, the pedestrian OB12 may be a personon a sidewalk or a roadway.

The 2-wheel vehicle OB13 may refer to a transportation apparatus movingon two wheels, located around the vehicle 100. The 2-wheel vehicle OB13may be a transportation apparatus having two wheels, located within apredetermined distance from the vehicle 100. For example, the 2-wheelvehicle OB13 may be a motorbike or bicycle on a sidewalk or a roadway.

The traffic signals may include a traffic signal lamp OB15, a trafficsign OB14, and a symbol or text drawn or written on a road surface.

The light may be light generated from a lamp of another vehicle. Thelight may be generated from a street lamp. The light may be sunlight.

The road may include a road surface, a curb, a ramp such as a down-rampor an up-ramp, and the like.

The structure may be an object fixed on the ground, near to a road. Forexample, the structure may be any of a street lamp, a street tree, abuilding, a telephone pole, a signal lamp, and a bridge.

The topography may include a mountain, a hill, and the like.

Meanwhile, objects may be classified into mobile objects and fixedobjects. For example, the mobile objects may conceptually includeanother vehicle, which is moving, and a pedestrian who is moving. Forexample, the fixed objects may conceptually include a traffic signal, aroad, a structure, a vehicle, each of which stops, and a pedestrian whostops.

The object detection device 300 may include a camera 310, a RadioDetection and Ranging (RADAR) 320, a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)330, an ultrasonic sensor 340, an infrared sensor 350, and a processor370.

In some implementations, the object detection device 300 may furtherinclude a new component in addition to components described below or maynot include a part of the described components.

To acquire a vehicle exterior image, the camera 310 may be disposed atan appropriate position on the exterior of the vehicle 100. The camera310 may be a mono camera, a stereo camera 310 a, Around View Monitoring(AVM) cameras 310 b, or a 360-degree camera.

The camera 310 may acquire information on the location of an object,information on the distance to the object, or information on therelative speed of the object using any of various image processingalgorithms.

For example, the camera 310 may acquire information on the distance toan object and information on the speed relative to the object in anacquired image, based on a variation in the size of the object overtime.

For example, the camera 310 may acquire information on the distance toan object and information regarding the speed relative to the objectthrough a pin hole model, road surface profiling, or the like.

For example, the camera 310 may acquire information on the distance toan object and information regarding the speed relative to the object,based on disparity information in a stereo image acquired by the stereocamera 310 a.

For example, to acquire an image of what lies ahead of the vehicle 100,the camera 310 may be disposed in the vicinity of a front windshieldinside the vehicle 100. Alternatively, the camera 310 may be disposedaround a front bumper or a radiator grill.

For example, to acquire an image of what lies behind the vehicle 100,the camera 310 may be disposed in the vicinity of a rear glass insidethe vehicle 100. Alternatively, the camera 310 may be disposed around arear bumper, a trunk, or a tail gate.

For example, to acquire an image of what lies on a side of the vehicle100, the camera 310 may be disposed in the vicinity of at least one ofside windows inside the vehicle 100. Alternatively, the camera 310 maybe disposed around a side mirror, a fender, or a door.

The camera 310 may provide an acquired image to the processor 370.

The RADAR 320 may include an electromagnetic wave transmitter and anelectromagnetic wave receiver. The RADAR 320 may be implemented by pulseRADAR or continuous wave RADAR. The RADAR 320 may be implemented byFrequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) or Frequency Shift Keying(FSK) as a pulse RADAR scheme according to a signal waveform.

The RADAR 320 may detect an object in TOF or phase shifting byelectromagnetic waves, and determine the location, distance, andrelative speed of the detected object.

The RADAR 320 may be disposed at an appropriate position on the exteriorof the vehicle 100, in order to sense an object ahead of, behind, orbeside the vehicle 100.

The LiDAR 330 may include a laser transmitter and a laser receiver. TheLiDAR 330 may be implemented in TOF or phase shifting.

The LiDAR 330 may be implemented in a driven or non-driven manner.

When the LiDAR 330 is implemented in a driven manner, the LiDAR 330 maybe rotated by a motor and detect an object around the vehicle 100.

When the LiDAR 330 is implemented in a non-driven manner, the LiDAR 330may detect an object within a predetermined range from the vehicle 100by optical steering. The vehicle 100 may include multiple non-drivenLiDARs 330.

The LiDAR 330 may detect an object in TOF or phase shifting by laserlight, and determine the location, distance, and relative speed of thedetected object.

The LiDAR 330 may be disposed at an appropriate position on the exteriorof the vehicle 100 in order to sense an object ahead of, behind, orbeside the vehicle 100.

The ultrasonic sensor 340 may include an ultrasonic wave transmitter andan ultrasonic wave receiver. The ultrasonic sensor 340 may detect anobject by ultrasonic waves, and determine the location, distance, andrelative speed of the detected object.

The ultrasonic sensor 340 may be disposed at an appropriate position onthe exterior of the vehicle 100, in order to sense an object ahead of,behind, or beside the vehicle 100.

The infrared sensor 350 may include an IR transmitter and an IRreceiver. The infrared sensor 350 may detect an object by IR light, anddetermine the location, distance, and relative speed of the detectedobject.

The infrared sensor 350 may be disposed at an appropriate position onthe exterior of the vehicle 100, in order to sense an object ahead of,behind, or beside the vehicle 100.

The processor 370 may provide overall control to each unit of the objectdetection device 300.

The processor 370 may detect or classify an object by comparing datasensed by the camera 310, the RADAR 320, the LiDAR 330, the ultrasonicsensor 340, and the infrared sensor 350 with pre-stored data.

The processor 370 may detect an object and track the detected object,based on an acquired image. The processor 370 may calculate the distanceto the object, the speed of the vehicle 100 relative to the object, andthe like by an image processing algorithm.

For example, the processor 370 may acquire information on the distanceto an object and information regarding the speed of the vehicle 100relative to the object from an acquired image, based on a variation inthe size of the object over time.

For example, the processor 370 may acquire information on the distanceto an object and information regarding the speed of the vehicle 100relative to the object via a pin hole model, road surface profiling, orthe like.

For example, the processor 370 may acquire information on the distanceto an object and information regarding the speed of the vehicle 100relative to the object from an image acquired from the stereo camera 310a, based on disparity information.

The processor 370 may detect an object and track the detected objectbased on electromagnetic waves, which are transmitted, are reflectedfrom the object, and then return. The processor 370 may calculate thedistance to the object and the speed of the vehicle 100 relative to theobject, based on the electromagnetic waves.

The processor 370 may detect an object and track the detected objectbased on laser light, which is transmitted, is reflected from theobject, and then returns. The processor 370 may calculate the distanceto the object and the speed of the vehicle 100 relative to the object,based on the laser light.

The processor 370 may detect an object and track the detected objectbased on ultrasonic waves, which are transmitted, are reflected from theobject, and then return. The processor 370 may calculate the distance tothe object and the speed of the vehicle 100 relative to the object,based on the ultrasonic waves.

The processor 370 may detect an object and track the detected objectbased on IR light, which is transmitted, is reflected from the object,and then returns. The processor 370 may calculate the distance to theobject and the speed of the vehicle 100 relative to the object, based onthe IR light.

In some implementations, the object detection device 300 may includemultiple processors 370 or no processor 370. For example, the camera310, the RADAR 320, the LiDAR 330, the ultrasonic sensor 340, and theinfrared sensor 350 may include individual processors.

When the object detection device 300 includes no processor 370, theobject detection device 300 may operate under the control of a processorof another device in the vehicle 100 or under the control of thecontroller 170.

The object detection device 300 may operate under the control of thecontroller 170.

The communication device 400 is used to communicate with an externaldevice. The external device may be another vehicle, a mobile terminal,or a server.

The communication device 400 may include at least one of a transmissionantenna and a reception antenna, for communication, and a RadioFrequency (RF) circuit and device, for implementing variouscommunication protocols.

The communication device 400 may include a short-range communicationunit 410, a location information unit 420, a Vehicle to Everything (V2X)communication unit 430, an optical communication unit 440, abroadcasting transceiver unit 450, an Intelligent Transport System (ITS)communication unit 460, and a processor 470.

In some implementations, the communication device 400 may furtherinclude a new component in addition to components described below, ormay not include a part of the described components.

The short-range communication unit 410 may be a unit for conductingshort-range communication. The short-range communication unit 410 maysupport short-range communication, using at least one of Bluetooth™,Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA),Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, or Wireless Universal Serial Bus(Wireless USB).

The short-range communication unit 410 may conduct short-rangecommunication between the vehicle 100 and at least one external deviceby establishing a wireless area network.

The location information unit 420 is a unit configured to acquireinformation on the location of the vehicle 100. For example, thelocation information unit 420 may include a GPS module or a DifferentialGlobal Positioning System (DGPS) module.

The V2X communication unit 430 is a unit used for wireless communicationwith a server (by Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I)), another vehicle (byVehicle to Vehicle (V2V)), or a pedestrian (by Vehicle to Pedestrian(V2P)). The V2X communication unit 430 may include an RF circuit capableof implementing a V2I protocol, a V2V protocol, and a V2P protocol.

The optical communication unit 440 is a unit used to communicate with anexternal device by light. The optical communication unit 440 may includean optical transmitter for converting an electrical signal to an opticalsignal and emitting the optical signal to the outside, and an opticalreceiver for converting a received optical signal to an electricalsignal.

In some implementations, the optical transmitter may be integrated witha lamp included in the vehicle 100.

The broadcasting transceiver unit 450 is a unit used to receive abroadcast signal from an external broadcasting management server ortransmit a broadcast signal to the broadcasting management server, on abroadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channeland a terrestrial channel. The broadcast signal may include a TVbroadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal.

The ITS communication unit 460 may exchange information, data, orsignals with a traffic system. The ITS communication unit 460 mayprovide acquired information, data or signals to the traffic system. TheITS communication unit 460 may receive information, data, or a signalfrom the traffic system. For example, the ITS communication unit 460 mayreceive traffic information from the traffic system and provide thereceived traffic information to the controller 170. For example, the ITScommunication unit 460 may receive a control signal from the trafficsystem, and provide the received control signal to the controller 170 ora processor in the vehicle 100.

The processor 470 may provide overall control to each unit of thecommunication device 400.

In some implementations, the communication device 400 may includemultiple processors 470 or no processor 470.

When the communication device 400 does not include any processor 470,the communication device 400 may operate under the control of aprocessor of another device in the vehicle 100 or under the control ofthe controller 170.

Meanwhile, the communication device 400 may be configured, along withthe user interface device 200, as a vehicle multimedia device. In thiscase, the vehicle multimedia device may be referred to as a telematicsdevice or an Audio Video Navigation (AVN) device.

The communication device 400 may operate under the control of thecontroller 170.

The maneuvering device 500 is a device used to receive a user commandfor driving the vehicle 100.

In the manual mode, the vehicle 100 may drive based on a signal providedby the maneuvering device 500.

The maneuvering device 500 may include the steering input device 510, anacceleration input device 530, and a brake input device 570.

The steering input device 510 may receive a heading direction input forthe vehicle 100 from the user. The steering input device 510 may beconfigured as a wheel for enabling a steering input by rotation. In someimplementations, the steering input device 510 may be configured as atouch screen, a touchpad, or a button.

The acceleration input device 530 may receive an input for accelerationof the vehicle 100 from the user. The brake input device 570 may receivean input for deceleration of the vehicle 100 from the user. Theacceleration input device 530 and the brake input device 570 may beformed into pedals. In some implementations, the acceleration inputdevice 530 or the brake input device 570 may be configured as a touchscreen, a touchpad, or a button.

The maneuvering device 500 may operate under the control of thecontroller 170.

The vehicle driving device 600 is a device used to electrically controldriving of various devices of the vehicle 100.

The vehicle driving device 600 may include a power train driving unit610, a chassis driving unit 620, a door/window driving unit 630, asafety device driving unit 640, a lamp driving unit 650, and an airconditioner driving unit 660.

In some implementations, the vehicle driving device 600 may furtherinclude a new component in addition to components described below or maynot include a part of the components.

Meanwhile, the vehicle driving device 600 may include a processor. Eachindividual unit of the vehicle driving device 600 may include aprocessor.

The power train driving unit 610 may control the operation of a powertrain device.

The power train driving unit 610 may include a power source driver 611and a transmission driver 612.

The power source driver 611 may control a power source of the vehicle100.

For example, when the power source is a fossil fuel-based engine, thepower source driver 611 may perform electronic control on the engine.Therefore, the power source driver 611 may control an output torque ofthe engine, and the like. The power source driver 611 may adjust theengine output torque under the control of the controller 170.

For example, when the power source is an electrical energy-based motor,the power source driver 611 may control the motor. The power sourcedriver 611 may adjust the rotation speed, torque, and the like of themotor under the control of the controller 170.

The transmission driver 612 may control a transmission.

The transmission driver 612 may adjust the state of the transmission.The transmission driver 612 may adjust the state of the transmission todrive D, reverse R, neutral N, or park P.

When the power source is an engine, the transmission driver 612 mayadjust the engagement state of a gear in the drive state D.

The chassis driving unit 620 may control the operation of a chassisdevice.

The chassis driving unit 620 may include a steering driver 621, a brakedriver 622, and a suspension driver 623.

The steering driver 621 may perform electronic control on a steeringdevice in the vehicle 100. The steering driver 621 may change a headingdirection of the vehicle 100.

The brake driver 622 may perform electronic control on a brake device inthe vehicle 100. For example, the brake driver 622 may decrease thespeed of the vehicle 100 by controlling the operation of a brakedisposed at a tire.

Meanwhile, the brake driver 622 may control multiple brakesindividually. The brake driver 622 may differentiate braking powerapplied to multiple wheels.

The suspension driver 623 may perform electronic control on a suspensiondevice in the vehicle 100. For example, when the surface of a road isrugged, the suspension driver 623 may control the suspension device toreduce jerk of the vehicle 100.

Meanwhile, the suspension driver 623 may control multiple suspensionsindividually.

The door/window driving unit 630 may perform electronic control on adoor device or a window device in the vehicle 100.

The door/window driving unit 630 may include a door driver 631 and awindow driver 632.

The door driver 631 may perform electronic control on a door device. Forexample, the door driver 631 may control opening and closing of multipledoors in the vehicle 100. The door driver 631 may control opening orclosing of the trunk or the tail gate. The door driver 631 may controlopening or closing of the sunroof.

The window driver 632 may perform electronic control on a window devicein the vehicle 100. The window driver 632 may control opening or closingof multiple windows in the vehicle 100.

The safety device driving unit 640 may perform electronic control onvarious safety devices in the vehicle 100.

The safety device driving unit 640 may include an airbag driver 641, aseatbelt driver 642, and a pedestrian protection device driver 643.

The airbag driver 641 may perform electronic control on an airbag devicein the vehicle 100. For example, the airbag driver 641 may controlinflation of an airbag, upon sensing an emergency situation.

The seatbelt driver 642 may perform electronic control on a seatbeltdevice in the vehicle 100. For example, the seatbelt driver 642 maycontrol seatbelts to secure passengers on the seats 110FL, 110FR, 110RL,and 110RR upon sensing a danger.

The pedestrian protection device driver 643 may perform electroniccontrol on a hood lift and a pedestrian airbag in the vehicle 100. Forexample, the pedestrian protection device driver 643 may control hoodlift-up and inflation of the pedestrian airbag, upon sensing collisionwith a pedestrian.

The lamp driving unit 650 may perform electronic control on various lampdevices in the vehicle 100.

The air conditioner driving unit 660 may perform electronic control onan air conditioner in the vehicle 100. For example, when a vehicleinternal temperature is high, the air conditioner driver 660 may controlthe air conditioner to operate and supply cool air into the vehicle 100.

The vehicle driving device 600 may include a processor. Each individualunit of the vehicle driving device 600 may include a processor.

The vehicle driving device 600 may operate under the control of thecontroller 170.

The operation system 700 is a system that controls various operations ofthe vehicle 100. The operation system 700 may operate in the autonomousdriving mode.

The operation system 700 may include the driving system 710, thepark-out system 740, and the park-in system 750.

In some implementations, the operation system 700 may further include anew component in addition to components described below or may notinclude a part of the described components.

In some implementations, the operation system 700 may include aprocessor. Each individual unit of the operation system 700 may includea processor.

In some implementations, when the operation system 700 is implemented insoftware, the operation system 700 may lie under the controller 170 inconcept.

In some implementations, the operation system 700 may conceptuallyinclude at least one of the user interface device 200, the objectdetection device 300, the communication device 400, the maneuveringdevice 500, the vehicle driving device 600, the navigation system 770,the sensing unit 120, or the controller 170.

The driving system 710 may drive the vehicle 100.

The driving system 710 may drive the vehicle 100 by providing a controlsignal to the vehicle driving device 600 based on navigation informationreceived from the navigation system 770.

The driving system 710 may drive the vehicle 100 by providing a controlsignal to the vehicle driving device 600 based on object informationreceived from the object detection device 300.

The driving system 710 may drive the vehicle 100 by receiving a signalfrom an external device through the communication device 400 andproviding a control signal to the vehicle driving device 600.

Conceptually, the driving system 710 may be a system that drives thevehicle 100, including at least one of the user interface device 200,the object detection device 300, the communication device 400, themaneuvering device 500, the vehicle driving device 600, the navigationsystem 770, the sensing unit 120, or the controller 170.

The driving system 710 may be referred to as a vehicle driving controldevice.

The park-out system 740 may perform park-out of the vehicle 100.

The park-out system 740 may perform park-out of the vehicle 100 byproviding a control signal to the vehicle driving device 600 based onnavigation information received from the navigation system 770.

The park-out system 740 may perform park-out of the vehicle 100 byproviding a control signal to the vehicle driving device 600 based onobject information received from the object detection device 300.

The park-out system 740 may perform park-out of the vehicle 100 byreceiving a signal from an external device through the communicationdevice 400 and providing a control signal to the vehicle driving device600.

Conceptually, the park-out system 740 may be a system that performspark-out of the vehicle 100, including at least one of the userinterface device 200, the object detection device 300, the communicationdevice 400, the maneuvering device 500, the vehicle driving device 600,the navigation system 770, the sensing unit 120, or the controller 170.

The park-out system 740 may be referred to as a vehicle park-out controldevice.

The park-in system 750 may perform park-in of the vehicle 100.

The park-in system 750 may perform park-in of the vehicle 100 byproviding a control signal to the vehicle driving device 600 based onnavigation information received from the navigation system 770.

The park-in system 750 may perform park-in of the vehicle 100 byproviding a control signal to the vehicle driving device 600 based onobject information received from the object detection device 300.

The park-in system 750 may perform park-in of the vehicle 100 byreceiving a signal from an external device through the communicationdevice 400 and providing a control signal to the vehicle driving device600.

Conceptually, the park-in system 750 may be a system that performspark-in of the vehicle 100, including at least one of the user interfacedevice 200, the object detection device 300, the communication device400, the maneuvering device 500, the vehicle driving device 600, thenavigation system 770, the sensing unit 120, or the controller 170.

The park-in system 750 may be referred to as a vehicle park-in controldevice.

The navigation system 770 may provide navigation information. Thenavigation information may include at least one of map information, setdestination information, route information based on setting of adestination, information regarding various objects on a route, laneinformation, or information regarding a current location of a vehicle.

The navigation system 770 may include a memory and a processor. Thememory may store navigation information. The processor may controloperation of the navigation system 770.

In some implementations, the navigation system 770 may receiveinformation from an external device through the communication device 400and update pre-stored information using the received information.

In some implementations, the navigation system 770 may be classified asa lower-layer component of the user interface device 200.

The sensing unit 120 may sense the state of the vehicle 100. The sensingunit 120 may include an inertial navigation unit (IMU) sensor, acollision sensor, a wheel sensor, a speed sensor, an inclination sensor,a weight sensor, a heading sensor, a position module, a vehicleforwarding/backwarding sensor, a battery sensor, a fuel sensor, a tiresensor, a handle rotation-based steering sensor, a vehicle internaltemperature sensor, a vehicle internal humidity sensor, an ultrasonicsensor, an illumination sensor, an accelerator pedal position sensor, abrake pedal position sensor, and the like.

Meanwhile, the IMU sensor may include one or more of an accelerationsensor, a gyro sensor, and a magnetic sensor.

The sensing unit 120 may acquire sensing signals for a vehicle postureinformation, vehicle motion information, vehicle yaw information,vehicle roll information, vehicle pitch information, vehicle collisioninformation, vehicle heading information, vehicle location information(Global Positioning System (GPS) information), vehicle angleinformation, vehicle speed information, vehicle accelerationinformation, vehicle inclination information, vehicleforwarding/backwarding information, battery information, fuelinformation, tire information, lamp for a vehicle information, vehicleinternal temperature information, vehicle internal humidity information,a steering wheel rotation angle, a vehicle external illuminance, apressure applied to an accelerator pedal, a pressure applied to a brakepedal, and the like.

The sensing unit 120 may further include an accelerator pedal sensor, apressure sensor, an engine speed sensor, an Air Flow Sensor (AFS), anAir Temperature Sensor (ATS), a Water Temperature Sensor (WTS), aThrottle Position Sensor (TPS), a Top Dead Center (TDC) sensor, a CrankAngle Sensor (CAS), and the like.

The sensing unit 120 may generate vehicle state information based onsensing data. The vehicle state information may be information generatedbased on data sensed by various sensors in the vehicle 100.

For example, the vehicle state information may include vehicle postureinformation, vehicle speed information, vehicle inclination information,vehicle weight information, vehicle heading information, vehicle batteryinformation, vehicle fuel information, vehicle tire pressureinformation, vehicle steering information, vehicle internal temperatureinformation, vehicle internal humidity information, pedal positioninformation, vehicle engine temperature information, and the like.

The interface 130 may serve paths to various types of external devicesconnected to the vehicle 100. For example, the interface 130 may beprovided with a port connectable to a mobile terminal, and may beconnected to a mobile terminal through the port. In this case, theinterface 130 may exchange data with the mobile terminal.

Meanwhile, the interface 130 may serve as a path in which electricenergy is supplied to a connected mobile terminal. When a mobileterminal is electrically connected to the interface 130, the interface130 may supply electric energy received from the power supply unit 190to the mobile terminal under the control of the controller 170.

The memory 140 is electrically connected to the controller 170. Thememory 140 may store basic data for a unit, control data for controllingan operation of the unit, and input and output data. The memory 140 maybe any of various storage devices in hardware, such as a Read OnlyMemory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), an Erasable and ProgrammableROM (EPROM), a flash drive, and a hard drive. The memory 140 may storevarious data for overall operations of the vehicle 100, such as programsfor processing or controlling in the controller 170.

In some implementations, the memory 140 may be integrated with thecontroller 170, or configured as a lower-layer component of thecontroller 170.

The controller 170 may provide overall control to each unit inside thevehicle 100. The controller 170 may be referred to as an ElectronicControl Unit (ECU).

The power supply unit 190 may supply power needed for operating eachcomponent under the control of the controller 170. For example, thepower supply unit 190 may receive power from a battery within thevehicle 100.

One or more processors and the controller 170 in the vehicle 100 may beimplemented using at least one of Application Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Digital SignalProcessing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Device (PLDs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, and an electrical unit for executingother functions.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of example components of an example lamp for avehicle.

The vehicle 100 may include a lamp 800 for a vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 8, the lamp 800 for a vehicle may include a laserdiode 810, an interface 830, a controller 850, and a power supply unit890.

In some implementations, the lamp 800 for a vehicle may further includea new component in addition to the components described in the presentdisclosure, or may not include some of the described components.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle may include a light collecting system forcollecting light emitted from the laser diode 810 into a predetermineddirection. The light collecting system may include multiple lenses andphosphors.

In the present implementation, the case in which the lamp 800 for avehicle is a headlamp of the vehicle 100 will be described by way ofexample, without the limitation thereto. For example, the lamp 800 for avehicle may be any other type of lamp used in the vehicle 100, such as,for example, a fog lamp, a tail lamp, or a turn signal. Hereinafter, thecase in which the lamp 800 for a vehicle is a headlamp will be describedas a representative example.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle may be a pair of headlamps 800 a and 800 bprovided on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle 100.The lamp 800 for a vehicle may output light to the region ahead of thevehicle 100.

The laser diode 810 may be a diode that emits laser light, and may emita predetermined wavelength of light.

The laser diode 810 may emit various colors of light depending on thewavelength thereof.

The laser diode 810 may be controlled so as to be turned on or off bysupplying or interrupting power to the laser diode 810.

The amount of light output from the laser diode 810 may be controlled byadjusting the voltage and/or current supplied to the laser diode 810.

The laser diode 810 may be controlled so as to be turned off after beingdimmed.

The light output of the laser diode 810 may be controlled by thecontroller 850.

The light output of the laser diode 810 may be controlled by thecontroller 850 based on brake operation information.

The brake operation information may be information including at leastone of whether or not a brake is operated, the force of operation of thebrake, or the brake operation time.

The light output of the laser diode 810 may be controlled by thecontroller 850 based on object information.

The object information may be at least one of the distance between thevehicle 100 and an object, the speed of an object relative to thevehicle 100, the absolute speed of an object, the size of an object, thetype of an object, whether or not an object is a living object, orwhether an object is a fixed object or a mobile object.

The light output of the laser diode 810 may be controlled by thecontroller 850 based on an expected time to collision (TTC).

The expected time to collision may be a value that is a result ofpredicting the time remaining until the vehicle 100 collides with anobject.

The expected time to collision may be calculated by the processor 370 inthe object detection device 300 based on the object information.

In another implementation, the expected time to collision may becalculated by the controller 850 based on the distance between an objectO and the vehicle 100, the speed of the object O relative to the vehicle100, and the acceleration of the vehicle 100.

The light output of the laser diode 810 may be controlled by thecontroller 850 based on whether or not an object is a living object.

The light output of the laser diode 810 may be controlled by thecontroller 850 based on vehicle shock information.

The shock information may be information regarding whether or not thevehicle 100 receives shocks. The shock information may includeinformation regarding whether there is a broken part of mechanismsprovided in the vehicle 100 when the vehicle 100 receives shocks.

The light output of the laser diode 810 may be controlled by thecontroller 850 based on shock position information.

The shock position information may be information regarding the positionat which the vehicle 100 receives shocks, and may be expressed inleft/right/front/rear directions and combinations thereof. The shockposition information is about the incidence of shocks applied to eachmechanism provided in the vehicle 100.

The light output of the laser diode 810 may be controlled by thecontroller 850 based on lamp information.

The lamp information may include at least one of information regardingwhether or not a lamp is damaged, or information regarding the outputstate of light emitted from a lamp.

The light output of the laser diode 810 may be controlled by thecontroller 850 based on light output state information.

The light output state information may include at least one of thepattern of light emitted from a lamp, the amount of light, the color oflight, or variation in the output of light in response to a controlsignal.

The controller 850 may perform a control operation to differentiate thelight output of multiple laser diodes 810.

The interface 830 may serve as paths to various types of externaldevices connected to the lamp 800 for a vehicle. The interface 830 mayexchange information, signals, or data with other devices included inthe vehicle 100. The interface 830 may transmit received information,signals, or data to the controller 850. The interface 830 may transmitinformation, signals, or data, produced or processed in the controller850, to other devices included in the vehicle 100.

The interface 830 may be the same as the interface 130. The interface830 may be provided in the lamp 800 for a vehicle, separately from theinterface 130. The interface 830 may serve as paths to various types ofexternal devices connected to the vehicle 100.

The controller 850 may provide overall control to each unit inside thelamp 800 for a vehicle.

The controller 850 may be implemented using at least one of ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs),Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Device(PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for executingother functions.

The controller 850 may be the same as the controller 170 of the vehicle100. The controller 850 may be provided in the lamp 800 for a vehicle,separately from the controller 170.

A brake device 105 may be a device used to brake the vehicle 100, andmay be driven by the brake driver 622. The brake driver 622 may controlthe brake device 105 upon receiving a signal from the brake input device570.

The brake device 105 may be controlled by an autonomous emergencybraking system (AEBS). The brake driver 622 may control the brake device105 upon receiving a signal from the autonomous emergency brakingsystem.

The controller 850 may receive brake operation information from thebrake device 105 via the interface 830.

The brake operation information may be information including at leastone of whether or not a brake is operated, a braking level (e.g., aforce of operation) of the brake, or the brake operation time.

The controller 850 may receive the brake operation information from thebrake device 105.

The controller 850 may receive the brake operation information, which isproduced in the brake driver 622 and is provided to the brake device105, from the brake device 105.

According to another implementation, the controller 850 may receive thebrake operation information from the brake driver 622.

According to still another implementation, the controller 850 mayreceive the brake operation information from the brake input device 570.

The controller 850 may receive the brake operation information, which isproduced in the autonomous emergency braking system and is provided tothe brake device 105, from the brake device 105.

According to another implementation, the controller 850 may receive thebrake operation information from the autonomous emergency brakingsystem.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the brake operation information.

The controller 850 may control at least one of the On/Off operation, theoutput amount of light, the output pattern of light, and the operationtime of the laser diode 810 based on the brake operation information.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle provided as described above may control thelaser diode 810 in advance before the lamp 800 for a vehicle is damageddue to an accident, thereby preventing a laser, which may be veryharmful to the visual system of a living object, from being dischargedoutward from the lamp 800 for a vehicle.

The controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to be turnedoff when a full braking operation is determined, thereby preventing alaser from being discharged outward from the lamp 800 for a vehicle whenan accident occurs.

For example, a brake is operated with a maximum braking level (e.g.,maximum braking force) in the full braking operation.

In some examples, the full braking operation may refer to an operationin which a brake is operated with a maximum force that the user caninput.

The controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to be dimmedwhen it is determined that a braking operation is performed with apreset value or more of force.

The preset value may be set to a value that is lower than the brakeforce upon a full braking operation.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe dimmed when it is determined that the brake force is equal to orgreater than the preset value and is less than the maximum force.

For example, the controller 850 may control the brightness of the laserdiode 810 so as to be reduced in inverse proportion when the brake forcecontinuously increases to the preset value or more.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle provided as described above may control thelaser diode 810 in advance before an accident occurs so that the laserdiode 810 outputs light in a dimmed state for a predetermined period soas to secure the driver's view.

For example, in an accident, the laser diode can be disclosed or safetyfeatures of the lamp 800 or the vehicle can be damaged, which may resultin a direct output of laser light to an outside or an uncontrolledexposure of laser light. In some examples, the controller 850 mayproactively turn off the laser diode or reduce light output based on aprediction of an event such as an accident or other dangeroussituations, a speed of the vehicle, or an acceleration or decelerationof the vehicle, operation of the brake, movement of a user in thevehicle, a sound inside or outside of the vehicle, etc.

The controller 850 may receive object information from the objectdetection device 300 via the interface 830.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the object information.

The object information may be information regarding at least one of thedistance between the vehicle 100 and an object, the speed of an objectrelative to the vehicle 100, the absolute speed of an object, the sizeof an object, the type of an object, whether or not an object is aliving object, or whether an object is a fixed object or a mobileobject.

For example, the controller 850 may determine the degree of danger withrespect to each of one or more objects O based on object information.

The controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to be turnedoff at a longer distance to one object O, which is determined to have ahigh degree of danger, than a distance to another object O, which isdetermined to have a low degree of danger.

The controller 850 may determine a dangerous object based on objectinformation, and may control the sensing unit 120 so as to sense adangerous object first.

The controller 850 may receive object information including the expectedtime to collision (TTC) between the vehicle 100 and an object O.

The expected time to collision may be calculated by the processor 370 inthe object detection device 300 based on the object information.

In another implementation, the expected time to collision may becalculated by the controller 850 based on the object informationincluding the distance between the object O and the vehicle 100, thespeed of the object O relative to the vehicle 100, and the accelerationof the object O.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the expected time to collision.

According to another implementation, the controller 850 may control thelight output of the laser diode 810 based on the expected time tocollision. In this case, the controller 850 may control the light outputof the laser diode 810 based on the expected time to collision, insteadof brake operation information.

The controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to be turnedoff before the expected time to collision arrives.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe turned off when the expected time to collision (TTC) is below apreset Off time T_(off).

The Off time T_(off) may be a preset time.

The Off time T_(off) may be set based on object information.

For example, the Off time T_(off) when the object O is a mobile objectmay be set to be longer than the Off time T_(off) when the object O is afixed object.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle configured as described above may control thelaser diode 810 in advance before the lamp 800 for a vehicle is damageddue to an accident, thereby preventing a laser, which may be veryharmful to the visual system of a living object, from being dischargedoutward from the lamp 800 for a vehicle.

The controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to be turnedoff after being dimmed.

The controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to be dimmedfrom a predetermined time before the expected time to collision (TCC)arrives.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe dimmed when the expected time to collision TTC is equal to or greaterthan a preset Off time T_(off) and less than a dimming time T_(dim).

The dimming time T_(dim) may be a preset time.

The dimming time T_(dim) may be set based on object information.

For example, the dimming time T_(dim) when the object O is a mobileobject may be set to be longer than the diming time T_(dim) when theobject O is a fixed object.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle configured as described above may control thelaser diode 810 in advance before an accident occurs so that the laserdiode 810 outputs light in a dimmed state for a predetermined period soas to secure the driver's view.

The controller 850 may receive object information including whether ornot the object O is a living object. The controller 850 may control thelight output of the laser diode 810 based on whether or not the object Ois a living object.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe dimmed to a greater amount when the object O is a living object thanthat when the object O is not a living object.

For example, the controller 850 may set the Off time Toff so as to belonger when the object O is a living object than that when the object Ois not a living object.

For example, when the object O is a living object, the controller 850may control the laser diode 810 so as to be dimmed in response to abraking operation performed with a preset value or more of force.

For example, when the object O is not a living object, the controller850 may keep the laser diode 810 in an On state, rather than beingdimmed, even if a braking operation is performed with a preset value ormore of force.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle provided as described above may control thelaser diode 810 so as to prevent, for example, the visual system of aliving object from sustaining serious damage due to a laser, or tosecure first the driver's view, when the object O is not a livingobject.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on brake operation information of the autonomous emergency brakingsystem.

The controller 850 may receive the brake operation information from theautonomous emergency braking system. The controller 850 may control thelight output of the laser diode 810 based on the received brakeoperation information.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe turned off earlier when the autonomous emergency braking systemsenses the object O, compared to the case in which no object O issensed.

For example, when the autonomous emergency braking system senses theobject O, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to beturned off even if no brake operation is sensed. In this case, thevehicle 100 may be safely braked by the autonomous emergency brakingsystem even if the user inputs no brake signal.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle provided as described above may effectivelycontrol the laser diode 810 in advance because the light output of thelaser diode 810 is automatically controlled in connection with theautonomous emergency braking system.

The controller 850 may receive shock information of the vehicle 100 fromthe sensing unit 120 via the interface 830.

The shock information may be information regarding whether or not thevehicle 100 receives shocks.

The shock information may include information regarding whether there isa broken part of mechanisms provided in the vehicle 100 when the vehicle100 receives shocks.

The shock information may be produced by the sensing unit 120, which mayinclude a collision sensor capable of sensing a collision.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the shock information of the vehicle 100.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe turned off when it is determined that the vehicle 100 receivesshocks.

The shock information of the vehicle 100 may include shock positioninformation regarding the position at which the vehicle 100 receivesshocks.

The shock information is information regarding the position at which thevehicle 100 receives shocks, and the shock position information may beexpressed in left/right/front/rear directions and combinations thereof.

The shock position information may be about the incidence of shocksapplied to each mechanism provided in the vehicle 100.

The controller 850 may receive the shock position information from thesensing unit 120. The controller 850 may control the light output of thelaser diode 810 based on the shock position information.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810, whichis disposed at the position at which the vehicle receives shocks, so asto be turned off when it is determined that the vehicle receives shocks.

In a state in which the laser diode 810 is in an Off state, thecontroller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to be turned onwhen it is determined that the vehicle 100 receives no shock.

For example, after controlling the laser diode 810 so as to be turnedoff based on brake operation information, the controller 850 may controlthe laser diode 810 so as to be turned on when it is determined that thevehicle 100 receives no shock, so as to secure the driver's view.

For example, after controlling the laser diode 810 so as to be turnedoff based on brake operation information, the controller 850 may controlthe laser diode 810 so as to be kept in the Off state when it isdetermined that the vehicle 100 receives shocks, so as to prevent alaser from being discharged outward from the lamp 800 for a vehicle.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810, whichis disposed at a position at which the vehicle receives shocks, so as tobe kept in the Off state, but may control the laser diode 810, which isdisposed at a position at which the vehicle receives no shocks, so as tobe turned on.

For example, after controlling the laser diode 810 so as to be turnedoff, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to beturned on when it is determined that the vehicle 100 receives shocks,but the lamp 800 for a vehicle including the laser diode 810 is normal.

The controller 850 may receive lamp information from the sensing unit120 via the interface 830.

the lamp information may include at least one of information regardingwhether or not a lamp is damaged, or information regarding the outputstate of light emitted from a lamp.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the lamp information.

For example, when it is determined that the lamp including the laserdiode 810 is damaged based on lamp information received from the sensingunit 120, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 provided ina corresponding lamp so as to be turned off.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe turned off when it is determined, as a result of comparing referenceinformation with lamp information received from the sensing unit 120,that a lamp including the laser diode 810 is abnormal.

The reference information may be lamp information of the laser diode810, which is in the normal state, and may be calculated by thecontroller 850, based on a control signal provided from the controller850 to the lamp 800 for a vehicle. The reference information may bepre-stored information in a memory.

Whether or not a lamp including the laser diode 810 is normal may bedetermined by the controller 850 based on the fact that the differencebetween reference information and lamp information exceeds a thresholdvalue, as a result of comparing the reference information with the lampinformation received from the sensing unit 120.

The controller 850 may receive the lamp information, includinginformation on the output state of light emitted from the lamp 800 for avehicle, from the camera 310 of the vehicle 100 via the interface 830.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on light output state information.

The light output state information may include at least one of thepattern of light emitted from a lamp, the amount of light, the color oflight, or variation in light output in response to a control signal.

The light output state information may be generated using a cameraprovided in the sensing unit 120.

The output state information of light emitted from a lamp may begenerated using the camera provided in the sensing unit 120 by sensingan image of light emitted to the object O outside the vehicle.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe turned off when it is determined that a lamp is abnormal, as a resultof comparing reference information with light output state informationreceived from the sensing unit 120.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe turned off when the difference between reference information and lampinformation exceeds a threshold value, as a result of comparing thepreset reference information with light output state informationreceived from the sensing unit 120.

The controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to be turnedoff when it is determined that the pattern of light emitted from thelamp 800 for a vehicle is not the same as the pattern of light based ona produced control signal.

Information regarding the pattern of light emitted from the lamp 800 fora vehicle may be acquired from a pattern image of light emitted to anobject on, for example, the road photographed by the camera provided inthe sensing unit 120.

The pattern of light based on the produced control signal may becalculated by the controller 850 based on a control signal provided fromthe controller 850 to the laser diode 810 for controlling the output oflight.

The pattern of light based on the produced control signal may bepre-stored information in the controller 850.

Whether or not the pattern of light emitted from the lamp 800 for avehicle is the same as the pattern of light based on the producedcontrol signal may be determined by the controller 850 based on whetheror not the difference between the pattern of light emitted from the lamp800 for a vehicle and the pattern of light based on the produced controlsignal exceeds a threshold value.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle provided as described above may determinewhether or not a lamp is faulty, and when it is determined that a lampis faulty, may turn off the laser diode 810 of the lamp, therebyreducing the risk of a laser being discharged outward from the lamp.

The controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to be turnedoff when variation in the output of light emitted from the lamp 800 fora vehicle is not the same as variation in the output of light based on aproduced control signal.

Variation in the output of light may include variation over time in atleast one of the pattern, amount, or color of light emitted from thelamp 800 for a vehicle.

Information regarding variation in the output of light emitted from thelamp 800 for a vehicle may be produced using the camera provided in thesensing unit 120 by sensing an image of light emitted to the object Ooutside the vehicle.

Variation in the output of light based on the produced control signalmay be calculated by the controller 850 based on a control signalprovided from the controller 850 to the laser diode 810 for controllingthe output of light.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe turned off when it is determined that the output of light emittedfrom the lamp 800 for a vehicle does not correspond to that in the onstate even though the laser diode 810 switches from the Off state to theOn state.

For example, when the controller 850 provides a control signal to thelaser diode 810 so that the amount of light of the laser diode 810varies, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to beturned off when it is determined that variation in the amount of lightemitted from the lamp 800 for a vehicle is not the same as variation inthe amount of light based on the produced control signal.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe turned off when it is determined that the difference betweenvariation in the amount of light emitted from the lamp 800 for a vehicleand variation in the amount of light based on the produced controlsignal exceeds a threshold value.

The controller 850 may control multiple laser diodes 810 differently.Controlling multiple layer diodes 810 may include controlling multiplelaser diodes 810 individually.

The controller 850 may control the multiple laser diodes 810 differentlybased on information regarding an object O.

The controller 850 may control the multiple laser diodes 810, which areprovided respectively in multiple lamps 800 for vehicles, differently.

For example, the controller 850 may control a laser diode 810, which isprovided on the front of the vehicle 100, and a laser diode 810, whichis provided on the rear of the vehicle, differently.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle provided as described above may prevent inadvance the risk of a laser being discharged outward from the lamp 800for a vehicle when an accident occurs and furthermore may secure thedriver's view.

The controller 850 may control multiple laser diodes 810 provided in thelamp 800 for a vehicle differently.

For example, among the multiple laser diodes 810 of the lamp 800 for avehicle, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810, which isdetermined to be abnormal, so as to be turned off, and may control thelaser diode 810, which is determined to be normal, so as to be turnedon.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle provided as described above may controlmultiple laser diodes 810 differently based on whether or not the laserdiodes 810 are abnormal, thereby preventing a laser from beingdischarged outward from the lamp and effectively securing the driver'sview.

The controller 850 may control an auxiliary light source so as to beturned on when controlling the laser diode 810 so as to be turned off.

The auxiliary light source may be configured to emit light other than alaser, and may include a light output element.

The auxiliary light source may be, for example, a light emitting diode(LED).

The controller 850 configured as described above may secure the driver'sview using the auxiliary light source when it becomes difficult for thedriver to secure the view because the laser diode 810 is controlled soas to be turned off.

The controller 850 may control the interface 830 so as to transmit asignal for causing the vehicle output unit 250 to generate an alarm whenthe laser diode 810 is controlled so as to be turned off. The controller850 provided as described above may inform the user, such as the driver,about the turning off of the laser diode 810 in advance, therebyminimizing the user inconvenience.

The power supply unit 890 may supply power required for the operation ofrespective components under the control of the controller 850. Forexample, the power supply unit 890 may receive power from, for example,a battery inside the vehicle 100.

The power supply unit 890 may be the power supply unit 190.Alternatively, the power supply unit 890 may be provided inside anoperation assistance system, separately from the power supply unit 190.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of the lamp fora vehicle.

The controller 850 may receive brake operation information from thebrake device 105 via the interface 830 (S910).

The brake operation information may be information including at leastone of whether or not a brake is operated, the force of operation of abrake, or the brake operation time.

The controller 850 may receive object information from the objectdetection device 300 via the interface 830 (S920).

The object information may be information regarding at least one of thedistance between the vehicle 100 and an object, the speed of an objectrelative to the vehicle 100, the absolute speed of an object, the sizeof an object, the type of an object, whether or not an object is aliving object, or whether an object is a fixed object or a mobileobject.

The object information may include the expected time to collision (TTC)between the vehicle 100 and an object O.

The controller 850 may receive shock information of the vehicle 100 fromthe sensing unit 120 via the interface 830 (S930).

The shock information may be information regarding whether or not thevehicle 100 receives shocks. The shock information may includeinformation regarding whether there is a broken part of mechanismsprovided in the vehicle 100 when the vehicle 100 receives shocks.

The shock position information may include shock position informationregarding the position at which the vehicle 100 receives shocks.

The controller 850 may receive lamp information from the sensing unit120 via the interface 830 (S940).

The lamp information may include at least one of information regardingwhether or not a lamp is damaged, or information regarding the outputstate of light emitted from a lamp.

the light output state information may include at least one of thepattern of light emitted from a lamp, the amount of light, the color oflight, or variation in light output in response to a control signal.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the brake operation information (S950).

The controller 850 may also control the light output of the laser diode810 based on the object information.

The controller 850 may also control the light output of the laser diode810 based on the shock information of the vehicle 100.

The controller 850 may also control the light output of the laser diode810 based on the lamp information.

The controller 850 may control an auxiliary light source so as to beturned on when the laser diode 810 is controlled so as to be turned off(S960).

The controller 850 may control the interface 830 so as to transmit asignal to the vehicle output unit 250 for generating an alarm when thelaser diode 810 is controlled so as to be turned off (S970).

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C illustrate example operations of the lamp for avehicle when braking is sensed.

The controller 850 may receive brake operation information from thebrake device 105 via the interface 830.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the brake operation information.

The brake operation information may be information including at leastone of whether or not a brake is operated, the force of operation of abrake, or the brake operation time.

The brake operation information may be information, which is generatedin the brake driver 622 in response to an input to the brake inputdevice 570 and is provided to the brake device 105.

The brake operation information may be information, which is generatedin the automatic emergency braking device and provided to the brakedevice 105.

Referring to FIG. 10A, when the vehicle 100 is driving on a road OB1010in the state in which no object O is present on a driving path, thecontroller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so that light A1031 isoutput from a left lamp 800 a for a vehicle and light A1032 is outputfrom a right lamp 800 b for a vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 10B, when the user notices an object OB1011 and inputsa brake signal A1051 with a preset value or more of force, thecontroller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so that the amounts oflight A1041 and A1042 output from the lamps 800 a and 800 b for vehiclesare reduced.

Referring to FIG. 10C, when the user notices an object OB1012 and inputsa full braking signal A1052, the controller 850 may control the laserdiode 810 so that the lamps 800 a and 800 b for vehicles are turned off.

In some implementations, the controller 850 may differently control theamount of dimming of the laser diode 810 based on the type of the objectO.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as tobe dimmed to a greater amount when the light emitted from the lamp 800for a vehicle illuminates a pedestrian OB12 than that when the lightemitted from the lamp 800 for a vehicle illuminates a vehicle OB11.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle provided as described above may control thelaser diode 810 in advance before the lamp 800 for a vehicle is damageddue to an accident, thereby preventing a laser, which may be veryharmful to the visual system of a living object, from being dischargedoutward from the lamp 800 for a vehicle.

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C illustrate example operations of the lamp for avehicle depending on an expected collision time.

The controller 850 may receive object information from the objectdetection device 300 via the interface 830.

The object information may include the expected time to collision (TTC)between the vehicle 100 and an object OB1111.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the expected time to collision.

Referring to FIG. 11A, when the vehicle 100 is driving on a road OB1110in the state in which no object O is present on a driving path, thecontroller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so that light A1131 isoutput from the left lamp 800 a for a vehicle and light A1132 is outputfrom the right lamp 800 b for a vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 11B, when the expected time to collision (TTC) isequal to or greater than a preset Off time T_(off) and is less than adimming time T_(dim), the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810so that the amounts of light A1141 and A1142 output from the lamps 800 aand 800 b for vehicles are reduced.

The Off time T_(off) may be a preset time.

The Off time T_(off) may be set based on object information.

For example, the Off time T_(off) when the object O is a mobile objectmay be set to be longer than the Off time T_(off) when the object O is afixed object.

For example, the Off time T_(off) when the object O is a living objectmay be set to be longer than the Off time T_(off) when the object O isan inanimate object.

The dimming time T_(dim) may be a preset time.

The dimming time T_(dim) may be set based on object information.

For example, the dimming time T_(dim) when the object O is a mobileobject may be set to be longer than the diming time T_(dim) when theobject O is a fixed object.

For example, the dimming time T_(dim) when the object O is a livingobject may be set to be longer than the diming time T_(dim) when theobject O is an inanimate object.

Referring to FIG. 11C, when the expected time to collision (TCC) is lessthan the preset Off time T_(off), the controller 850 may control thelaser diode 810 so that the lamps 800 a and 800 b for vehicles areturned off.

For example, when the Off time T_(off) is 2 seconds and the dimming timeT_(dim) is 7 seconds, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810so as to be gradually dimmed within a period during which the expectedtime to collision is less than 7 seconds and is equal to or greater than2 seconds, and thereafter may control the laser diode 810 so as to beturned off when the expected time to collision is less than 2 seconds.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle provided as described above may control thelaser diode 810 in advance before the lamp 800 for a vehicle is damageddue to an accident, thereby preventing a laser, which may be veryharmful to the visual system of a living object, from being dischargedoutward from the lamp 800 for a vehicle.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate example operations of the lamp for avehicle depending on the types of objects.

The controller 850 may receive brake operation information from thebrake device 105 via the interface 830.

The brake operation information may be information including at leastone of whether or not a brake is operated, the force of operation of abrake, or the brake operation time.

The controller 850 may receive object information from the objectdetection device 300 via the interface 830.

The object information may include information regarding whether or notthe object O is a living object.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the brake operation information.

The controller 850 may also control the light output of the laser diode810 based on whether or not the object O is a living object.

Referring to FIG. 12A, when it is determined that a braking operationA1251 is performed with a preset value or more of force and that theobject O is a pedestrian OB1211, the controller 850 may control thelaser diode 810 so that the amounts of light A1231 and A1232 output fromthe lamps 800 a and 800 b are reduced.

At this time, the controller 850 may set the amount of dimming of thelaser diode 810 based on information regarding the distance to thepedestrian OB1211.

Referring to FIG. 12B, when it is determined that the braking operationA1251 is performed with a preset value or more of force and that theobject O is an inanimate object OB1212, the controller 850 may controlthe laser diode 810 so that the amounts of light A1241 and A1242 outputfrom the lamps 800 a and 800 b are maintained, rather than beingreduced.

For example, when it is determined that the object O is the inanimateobject OB1212, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so asnot to be dimmed even if a braking operation is performed with a presetvalue or more of force, and may control the laser diode 810 so as to beturned off when a full braking operation is performed.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle provided as described above may prevent, forexample, the visual system of a living object from sustaining seriousdamage due to a laser, but may control the laser diode 810 so as tosecure first the driver's view when the object is not a living object.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate example operations of the lamp for avehicle upon automatic emergency braking.

The controller 850 may receive brake operation information from thebrake device 105 via the interface 830.

The brake operation information may be produced in an autonomousemergency braking system and may be provided to the brake device 105.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the brake operation information.

The controller 850 may also control the light output of the laser diode810 based on brake operation information A1351 of the autonomousemergency braking system.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810differently when the autonomous emergency braking system senses anobject O and when the autonomous emergency braking system senses noobject O.

For example, in the case 1351 in which the autonomous emergency brakingsystem senses an object O, since the vehicle 100 may be automaticallybraked even if the driver does not notice the object O, the controller850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to be turned off.

For example, when the autonomous emergency braking system senses noobject O, the driver needs to notice the object O and directly brake thevehicle 100. Therefore, when it is determined that a braking operationis performed with a preset value or more of force, the controller 850may control the laser diode 810 so as to be dimmed.

For example, when it is determined that a braking operation is performedat a preset value or more of force, the controller 850 may control thelaser diode 810 so as to be dimmed to a greater amount in the case A1351in which the autonomous emergency braking system senses an object O thanin the case where the autonomous emergency braking system senses noobject O.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle configured as described above may more safelycontrol the laser diode 810 when the autonomous emergency braking systemsecures safe braking.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D illustrate example operations of the lampfor a vehicle when no collision is sensed after turn-off control.

The controller 850 may receive brake operation information from thebrake device 105 via the interface 830.

The brake operation information may be produced in an autonomousemergency braking system and may be provided to the brake device 105.

The controller 850 may receive shock information of the vehicle 100 fromthe sensing unit 120 via the interface 830.

The shock information may be information regarding whether or not thevehicle 100 receives shocks.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the brake operation information.

The controller 850 may also control the light output of the laser diode810 based on the shock information of the vehicle 100.

Referring to FIG. 14A, when the vehicle 100 is driving on a road OB1410,the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so that the lamps 800a and 800 b emit light A1421 and A1422.

Referring to FIG. 14B, when it is determined that a full brakingoperation A1451 is performed, the controller 850 may control the laserdiode 810 so as to be turned off.

FIG. 14C illustrates an example case in which the vehicle 100 stopswithout colliding with another vehicle OB1411.

Referring to FIG. 14D, when it is determined that the vehicle 100receives no shock based on the shock information received from thesensing unit 120, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 soas to be turned on.

When the laser diode 810 is controlled so as to be turned on because thevehicle 100 receives no shock, the controller 850 may also control thelaser diode 810 based on object information.

For example, when an object O is the pedestrian OB12, the controller 850may control the laser diode 810 so as to be turned on and dimmed.

For example, when the distance to the object O is less than a presetvalue, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to beturned on and dimmed.

For example, when the distance to the object O is less than a presetvalue, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so as to bekept in the Off state.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle configured as described above may control thelaser diode 810 so as to rapidly secure the driver's view when there isno risk of a laser being directly discharged outwards.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15C illustrate example operations of the lampfor a vehicle when a collision is sensed after turn-off control.

The controller 850 may receive brake operation information from thebrake device 105 via the interface 830.

The brake operation information may be produced in an autonomousemergency braking system and may be provided to the brake device 105.

The controller 850 may receive shock information of the vehicle 100 fromthe sensing unit 120 via the interface 830.

The shock information may be information regarding whether or not thevehicle 100 receives shocks.

The shock information may include shock position information regardingthe position at which the vehicle 100 receives shocks.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the brake operation information.

The controller 850 may also control the light output of the laser diode810 based on the shock information of the vehicle 100.

Referring to FIG. 15A, when the vehicle 100 is driving on a road OB1510,the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so that the lamps 800a and 800 b emit light A1521 and A1522.

Referring to FIG. 15B, when it is determined that a full brakingoperation A1551 is performed, the controller 850 may control the laserdiode 810 so as to be turned off.

FIG. 15C illustrates an example case in which a collision between thevehicle 100 and another vehicle OB1511 occurs, and illustrates acollision C between the left front side of the vehicle 100 and the rearside of the other vehicle OB1511.

Referring to FIG. 15D, the controller 850 may control the laser diode810 based on the shock information received from the sensing unit 120 sothat the left lamp 800 a for a vehicle, which is determined to bereceiving shocks, is kept in the Off state and so that the right lamp800 b for a vehicle, which is determined not to be receiving shocks, isturned on so as to emit light A1531.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle configured as described above may control thelaser diode 810 so that the lamp 800, which is not damaged even when thevehicle 100 receives shocks, is rapidly turned on so as to rapidlysecure the driver's view.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate example operations of the lamp for avehicle depending on optical patterns.

The controller 850 may receive lamp information from the sensing unit120 via the interface 830.

The lamp information may include at least one of information regardingwhether or not a lamp is damaged, or information regarding the outputstate of light emitted from a lamp.

The light output state information may include at least one of thepattern of light emitted from a lamp, the amount of light, the color oflight, or variation in light output in response to a control signal.

FIG. 16A illustrates patterns A1521 and A1522 of light emitted from thelamp 800 for a vehicle, which is normal, to a road OB1610.

The controller 850 may receive, from the sensing unit 120, informationregarding patterns A1621 and A1622 of light emitted from the lamps 800 aand 800 b for vehicles to a road OB1611.

Referring to FIG. 16B, the controller 850 may control the laser diode810 so as to be turned off when it is determined that patterns A1631 andA1632 of light emitted from the lamp 800 for a vehicle are not the sameas the patterns A1621 and A1622 of light based on a produced controlsignal.

The patterns A1631 and A1632 of light emitted from the lamp 800 for avehicle are patterns of light emitted to an actual road OB1610 asinformation received from the sensing unit 120.

The patterns A1621 and A1622 of light based on the produced controlsignal may be calculated by the controller 850 based on a control signalprovided from the controller 850 to the laser diode 810 in order tocontrol the light output.

The patterns A1621 and A1622 of light based on the produced controlsignal may be pre-stored information in the controller 850.

For example, the patterns A1621 and A1622 of light based on the producedcontrol signal may be pre-stored information regarding the patternsA1521 and A1522 of light emitted from the lamp 800 for a vehicle, whichis normal, to the road OB1610 in a memory.

For example, the controller 850 may compare the patterns A1631 and A1632of light emitted from the lamp 800 for a vehicle with the patterns A1621and A1622 of light based on the produced control signal, and may controlthe laser diode 810 of the left lamp 800 a for a vehicle so as to beturned off when it is determined that the difference therebetweenexceeds a threshold value.

Meanwhile, although not illustrated, the controller 850 may compare thepatterns A1631 and A1632 of light emitted from the lamp 800 for avehicle with the patterns A1621 and A1622 of light based on the producedcontrol signal with respect to at least one of the amount of light, thecolor of light, or variation in the output of light in response to acontrol signal, and may control the laser diode 810 of the left lamp 800a for a vehicle so as to be turned off when it is determined that thedifference therebetween exceeds a threshold value.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle provided as described above may determinewhether or not the lamp is faulty, and may turn off the laser diode 810of the lamp when it is determined that the lamp is faulty, therebyreducing the risk of a laser being discharged outward from the lamp.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example control of multiple laser diodes in thelamp for a vehicle.

The controller 850 may receive brake operation information from thebrake device 105 via the interface 830.

The brake operation information may be produced in an autonomousemergency braking system and may be provided to the brake device 105.

The controller 850 may receive object information from the objectdetection device 300 via the interface 830.

The object information may be information regarding at least one of thedistance between the vehicle 100 and an object, the speed of an objectrelative to the vehicle 100, the absolute speed of an object, the sizeof an object, the type of an object, whether or not an object is aliving object, or whether an object is a fixed object or a mobileobject.

The controller 850 may control the light output of the laser diode 810based on the brake operation information.

The controller 850 may also control the light output of the laser diode810 based on the object information.

The controller 850 may control multiple laser diodes 810 differently.

The multiple laser diodes 810 may be respectively provided in multiplelamps 800 for vehicles.

Referring to FIG. 17, when a braking operation A1751 is performed with apreset value or more of force, the controller 850 may control the laserdiode 810 so that only the lamp 800 b for a vehicle, which emits lighttoward an object OB1711, among the multiple lamps 800 a and 800 b forvehicles, is dimmed.

For example, when it is determined that the vehicle 100 receives shocksbased on shock information received from the sensing unit 120, thecontroller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so that only the lamp 800for a vehicle, which is at the position at which the vehicle 100receives shocks, among multiple lamps 800 for vehicles, is turned off.

For example, the controller 850 may control the laser diode 810 so thatonly the lamp 800 for a vehicle, which is determined to be abnormal,among multiple lamp 800 for vehicles is turned off, based on lampinformation received from the sensing unit 120.

The lamp 800 for a vehicle configured as described above may safelycontrol the multiple laser diodes 810 so as to secure the driver's vieweffectively.

The disclosure described above may be realized as a computer-readablecode in a medium in which programs are recorded. The computer-readablemedium may include all types of recording device in which data, whichmay be read by a computer system, are stored. Examples of thecomputer-readable medium may include a hard disk drive (HDD), solidstate disk (SSD), silicon disk drive (SDD), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetictape, floppy disc, or optical data storage device. In addition, thecomputer-readable medium may be realized in a carrier wave (e.g.,transmission via the Internet). In addition, the computer may includethe controller 180 of the terminal. Thus, the above detailed descriptionshould not be construed as being limitative in all terms, but should beconsidered as being illustrative. The scope of the disclosure should bedetermined by the rational analysis of the accompanying claims, and allchanges within the equivalent range of the disclosure are included inthe scope of the disclosure.

As is apparent from the above description, according to theimplementations of the present disclosure, one or more effects asfollows may be provided.

First, by safely controlling a laser lamp before an accident occurs, itmay be possible to prevent damage to the visual system of a livingobject including a human due to the leakage of direct laser light.

Second, by controlling the dimming of a laser diode and controlling theoutput of light depending on whether or not an object is a livingobject, it may be possible to safely control a laser lamp before anaccident occurs and to secure the driver's view effectively.

Third, it may be possible to minimize the inconvenience of a user suchas, for example, a driver, when controlling the light output of a laserdiode by controlling the dimming of the laser diode.

Fourth, by controlling a lamp for a vehicle so as to be turned off andthen turned on when no accident occurs, it may be possible to safelycontrol the lamp for a vehicle and to increase the convenience of auser.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the objects asmentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearlyunderstood by those skilled in the art from the following description ofclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lamp for a vehicle comprising: a laser diodeconfigured to output light; an interface configured to communicate witha brake device of the vehicle; and at least one processor coupled to theinterface and configured to: receive brake operation information fromthe brake device via the interface, and control a light output of thelaser diode based on the brake operation information.
 2. The lampaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to: based on the brake operation information, determinewhether the brake device has performed a full braking operation; andbased on a determination that the brake device has performed the fullbraking operation, control the laser diode to reduce an output of thelight.
 3. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: based on the brake operationinformation, determine whether a braking operation is performed with abraking level that is greater than or equal to a threshold level; andbased on a determination that the braking operation is performed withthe braking level that is greater than or equal to the threshold level,control the laser diode to dim the light output.
 4. The lamp accordingto claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:receive object information from an object detection device via theinterface; and control the light output of the laser diode based on theobject information.
 5. The lamp according to claim 4, wherein the objectinformation includes an estimated time to collision (TTC) between thevehicle and an object, and wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to control the light output of the laser diode based on theTTC.
 6. The lamp according to claim 5, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to control the laser diode to reduce thelight output within the TTC.
 7. The lamp according to claim 6, whereinthe at least one processor is further configured to control the laserdiode to turn off the light output after reducing the light outputwithin the TTC.
 8. The lamp according to claim 4, wherein the objectinformation includes information about whether an object is a livingobject, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured tocontrol the light output of the laser diode based on whether the objectis the living object.
 9. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein thevehicle further comprises an autonomous emergency braking system (AEBS),and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to reducethe light output of the laser diode based on the brake operationinformation received from the AEBS.
 10. The lamp according to claim 1,wherein the vehicle further includes a sensing unit coupled to theinterface and configured to sense vehicle shock information, and whereinthe at least one processor is further configured to: receive the vehicleshock information from the sensing unit via the interface, and controlthe light output of the laser diode based on the vehicle shockinformation.
 11. The lamp according to claim 10, wherein the vehicleshock information includes vehicle shock position informationcorresponding to a position at which a vehicle has received a shock, andwherein the at least one processor is further configured to control thelight output of the laser diode based on the vehicle shock positioninformation.
 12. The lamp according to claim 10, wherein the at leastone processor is further configured, based on the laser diode being in aturned off state, to: determine whether the vehicle has received a shockbased on the vehicle shock information; and control the laser diode tobe turned on based on a determination that the vehicle received noshock.
 13. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle furtherincludes a sensing unit coupled to the interface, and wherein the atleast one processor is further configured to: receive lamp informationfrom the sensing unit via the interface; and control the light output ofthe laser diode based on the lamp information.
 14. The lamp according toclaim 13, wherein the sensing unit includes a camera configured tocapture light emitted from the lamp, wherein the lamp informationincludes information about a state of light output that is emitted fromthe lamp and captured by the camera of the sensing unit, and wherein theat least one processor is further configured to control the light outputof the laser diode based on the information about the state of the lightoutput.
 15. The lamp according to claim 14, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: determine whether a detected patternof light emitted from the lamp corresponds to an expected pattern oflight based on a control signal produced by the at least one processor;and control the laser diode to reduce the light output based on adetermination that the detected pattern of light emitted from the lampdeviates from the expected pattern of light.
 16. The lamp according toclaim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:determine whether a detected variation in an output of light emittedfrom the lamp corresponds to an expected variation in the output oflight based on a control signal produced by the at least one processor;and control the laser diode to reduce off the light output based on adetermination that the detected variation in the output of light emittedfrom the lamp deviates from the expected variation in the output oflight.
 17. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the laser diodecomprises a plurality of laser diodes, each laser diode being configuredto output light, and wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to, based on the brake operation information, control a firstlaser diode among the plurality of laser diodes differently from asecond laser diode among the plurality of laser diodes.
 18. The lampaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to control the interface to transmit a signal to an outputunit of the vehicle, the output unit being configured to, in response toreception of the signal from the at least one processor, generate analarm based on the laser diode being controlled to reduce the lightoutput.
 19. A lamp for a vehicle that includes an object detectiondevice configured to detect an object around the vehicle, the lampcomprising: a laser diode configured to output light; an interfaceconfigured to communicate with the object detection device; and at leastone processor coupled to the interface and configured to: receive, fromthe object detection device via the interface, an estimated time tocollision between the vehicle and the object, and control a light outputof the laser diode based on the estimated time to collision.
 20. Avehicle comprising: a plurality of wheels; a power source configured todrive a rotation of at least one of the plurality of wheels; and a lampcomprising: a laser diode configured to output light, an interfaceconfigured to communicate with a brake device of the vehicle, and atleast one processor coupled to the interface and configured to: receivebrake operation information from the brake device via the interface, andcontrol a light output of the laser diode based on the brake operationinformation.